The Best Private Schools in Harrison, New York
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Harrison. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Rye Country Day School
Independent
Rye Country Day School is a highly prestigious coeducational independent school serving Westchester County, including Harrison. Founded in 1869, it offers a comprehensive college preparatory program from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The school features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. With small class sizes and a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, Rye Country Day emphasizes academic excellence, character development, and community engagement. The school consistently sends graduates to top-tier universities and offers robust programs in STEM, humanities, arts, and athletics.
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The Ursuline School
Ursuline Order
The Ursuline School is a highly-regarded Catholic independent school for girls serving the Harrison area and surrounding communities. Founded by the Ursuline Order in 1897, the school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum grounded in Catholic values. The academic program includes advanced placement courses, extensive STEM offerings, comprehensive arts programs, and competitive athletics. The school emphasizes leadership development, community service, and global awareness. With modern facilities and dedicated faculty, Ursuline consistently achieves outstanding college placement results and maintains strong parent satisfaction ratings.
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The Harvey School
Independent
The Harvey School is an independent coeducational college preparatory school serving students from Harrison and surrounding Westchester communities. Founded in 1916, Harvey offers day and boarding options for grades 6-12. The school features a challenging academic curriculum with small class sizes, advanced placement courses, and extensive support services. Harvey's campus includes modern academic buildings, science laboratories, arts facilities, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes personalized attention, character development, and preparation for college success. With strong athletic programs and diverse extracurricular offerings, Harvey provides a well-rounded educational experience with excellent college placement records.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Harrison, New York
What are the primary private school options available to families residing in Harrison, New York, and what are their key characteristics?
While Harrison itself is a smaller town, it is situated within a region of Westchester County renowned for its excellent private schools. The most prominent options for Harrison residents include Rye Country Day School (co-ed, Pre-K-12, known for rigorous academics and arts), The Ursuline School (all-girls, 6-12, a Catholic college-preparatory school in New Rochelle), and The Harvey School (co-ed, 6-12, in Katonah with a strong focus on experiential learning). Additionally, families often consider other prestigious schools in nearby towns like Rye, Scarsdale, and Greenwich, CT. A key advantage for Harrison residents is the accessibility to this dense network of top-tier institutions, many of which provide bus transportation for students from the Harrison area.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Harrison, NY area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Harrison-area private schools is significant, reflecting the high cost of living and operational expenses in Westchester County. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition ranges from approximately $40,000 to over $60,000 for upper schools. Schools like Rye Country Day and Harvey are at the higher end of this spectrum. Importantly, most of these schools are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer robust need-based financial aid programs. It is crucial to apply for aid simultaneously with admission, as funds are limited. Many schools use the Clarity Application to assess need. Additionally, New York State does not offer tax-credit scholarships or vouchers, so financial support is primarily sourced directly from the institutions.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Harrison, NY, that might not be available in the public system?
Private schools in this region often provide specialized programs that leverage their resources and independence. For example, Rye Country Day School has a renowned Center for the Arts and a comprehensive global studies program with extensive travel opportunities. The Ursuline School offers distinctive leadership and service learning programs rooted in its Catholic mission. The Harvey School emphasizes hands-on science and entrepreneurship, including a dedicated Innovation Lab. Furthermore, many of these schools have extensive partnerships with local institutions, such as internships in New York City firms, and offer a wider array of advanced and niche courses (e.g., robotics, Mandarin, advanced studio art) that may be more limited in a public school curriculum due to budget constraints.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for applying to private schools like Rye Country Day or The Ursuline School as a Harrison resident?
The process is highly structured and begins well over a year before intended entry. For fall admission, families should start researching schools in the spring prior. Key steps include: attending open houses (typically September-November), registering for standardized tests like the ISEE or SSAT (fall), submitting applications (usually due in January), and completing student interviews and visits (fall/winter). Decisions are released in March. It is critical to note that while Harrison has excellent public schools, competition for spots in these top private schools is intense, with many applicants from across Westchester, NYC, and Connecticut. Engaging with the admissions office early and ensuring all components (application, recommendations, testing) are submitted promptly is essential.
For families in Harrison, what are the main considerations when deciding between the highly-rated Harrison Central School District and a private school?
This is a significant decision for Harrison families. The Harrison Central School District is consistently ranked among the top public districts in New York, offering a strong academic program, extensive AP offerings, and new facilities. The primary considerations for opting for private education often include: desire for a specific educational philosophy (e.g., single-sex, religious foundation, or progressive approach), smaller average class sizes for more individualized attention, different extracurricular emphases (e.g., stronger arts or athletics pipelines), and in some cases, a perceived more competitive pathway to elite colleges. The trade-off, of course, is the substantial financial cost of private tuition versus the "free" high-quality public option. Many families base their decision on the specific fit for their child's learning style and long-term goals.
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